Selena Gomez Says Horses, Undone Hair Helped Her Heal in Treatment

What was the secret behind Selena Gomez's Fall 2016 treatment? Beyond ditching her phone, she says it was horses that helped her heal over three months.

Last October, Us Weekly reported that Gomez had entered a rehab facility to deal with the effects of lupus and general mental health ("she can go to a dark place," a source said). And in a new interview featured in InStyle's September issue, she credits a certain creature with mitigating her pain.

“I was in the countryside and never did my hair; I took part in equine therapy, which is so beautiful,” she said. “And it was hard, obviously. But I knew what my heart was saying, and I thought, ‘OK, I think this has helped me become stronger for other people.’”

“I had no phone, nothing, and I was scared. But it was amazing, and I learned a lot,” she added.

And while Gomez noted she's enjoying her relationship with The Weeknd, she's said she's learned not to be dependent on him for happiness or contentment.

“I don’t depend on one area of my life to make me happy. It’s really important for me to love and nourish my friends and family and to make sure that I never get influenced by a guy,” she noted. “I’ve wanted to be in a strong headspace for years, and I really wasn’t. Before, I was so young and easily influenced, and I’d feel insecure. You want someone to add to your life, not to complete you, if that makes sense. I’m lucky because he’s more of a best friend than anything else.”